Pizza delivery driver robbed in Sarasota

SARASOTA -- A pizza delivery driver was beaten and robbed Wednesday evening while trying to deliver a pizza to a vacant house, according to Sarasota police.

About 8 p.m., the driver went to deliver pizza to a house in the 4700 block of Rilma Avenue.

"When the victim went to the door and knocked, he told officers (someone) approached him from behind and threw a clay pot at his head. The victim ducked and the clay pot grazed his head," a news release states.

The suspect rushed the driver and starting him about the head on the upper body while kneeing him.

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"The victim said the suspect kept beating him and eventually stopped and threatened to shoot him while pulling out a gardening trowel from his back side," the report states. "The victim gave the suspect cash before the suspect fled the area on foot."

Police said officers searched the house and determined it had been vacant for some time.

Anyone with information can call the Sarasota Police Department at 941-954-7070 or leave an anonymous tip with Crime Stoppers by calling 941-366-TIPS (8477) or online at www.sarasotacrimestoppers.com